Tencent is in talks to buy Nexon's parent company for around $15 billion as it looks to grow in Web3 gaming. The deal would give Tencent control of blockchain-based games like MapleStory N, though it's unclear if Nexon could keep its independence.
AnaisA Chinese man was arrested at Don Mueang Airport while trying to flee to Singapore after being accused of stealing over $6 million in Bitcoin from two investors. Thai police had been tracking him since April and stopped him just before he boarded the flight.
WeatherlyThe SEC has withdrawn over a dozen proposed Biden-era rules, including key measures targeting DeFi and crypto custody—marking a shift away from Gary Gensler’s regulatory agenda and raising new questions about the future of US crypto oversight
CatherineThe Philippines has introduced strict new rules for crypto companies, requiring them to register, hold at least PHP 100 million in capital, and have a physical office in the country. Firms that fail to comply could face heavy fines or jail time, as the government moves to tighten control and protect users.
AnaisVietnam’s National Assembly has passed a major digital law that establishes clear crypto regulations and strict AML standards, while also offering incentives for AI, semiconductors, and digital infrastructure—signalling its ambition to become a global tech and investment hub.
CatherineA 26-year-old TikTok influencer and crypto trader was reportedly kidnapped in France and held for a €50,000 crypto ransom. But when the kidnappers found he had been all-in on XRP since 2018 and had little to show for it, they released him—allegedly sending $1,000 in USDT before letting him go.
KikyoBybit is launching Byreal, a new decentralised trading platform on Solana, with a testnet set for 30 June and mainnet in Q3 2025. It aims to combine the speed and liquidity of a centralised exchange with the fairness and openness of DeFi, using hybrid features like RFQ and CLMM routing.
WeatherlyIn a significant policy shift, Brazil has officially eliminated the tax exemption previously granted to small-scale crypto investors. Under the new regulation, all capital gains from cryptocurrency transactions will be subject to a flat 17.5% tax rate.
CatherineA crypto investor lost $6.9 million after buying a cold wallet through Douyin that had already been tampered with. The private key was stolen before sale, letting scammers take the funds and launder them through a crypto mixer.
AnaisSatoshi Nakamoto created Bitcoin to sidestep centralised institutions and government control. But Coinbase’s sponsorship of a military parade has sparked debate: Is crypto abandoning its anti-establishment roots for mainstream acceptance?
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